DOHA – Thailand’s Japanese coach Masatada Ishii was “really happy” with a point, after his side held a blunt Oman 0-0 on Jan 21 to inch closer to the Asian Cup knockout rounds.
Following a lively first half in Doha, Oman sought to apply pressure after the break, with midfielder Salaah Al Yahyaei prodding away at the Thai defence but finding no way through.
At the other end, Buriram United striker Supachai Chaided – who scored a brace in Thailand’s opening 2-0 win over Kyrgyzstan – cut an increasingly isolated figure.
When the final whistle sounded, the Thai players celebrated a draw which left them second in Group F on four points after two games and with a good chance of progressing to the last 16.
Saudi Arabia are top on maximum points after beating Kyrgyzstan 2-0 in the later match. Oman have one point and Kyrgyzstan none.
The top two are guaranteed to reach the next phase, but third place could also be enough, as only the two worst third-place finishers will not advance.
“When we went into this match we wanted three points but, as the game went by, we saw what can be done. We are really happy with one point,” said the Japanese coach.
Oman coach Branko Ivankovic acknowledged that “the Thai team were very cohesive”, adding that “it was difficult to create opportunities to score”.
Roberto Mancini played down Saudi Arabia’s chances of winning the Asian Cup after they reached the knockout stages with a laboured 2-0 victory over nine-man Kyrgyzstan.
Kyrgyzstan had Ayzar Akmatov sent off in the ninth minute and Kimi Merk joined him seven minutes into the second half in Doha.
Mohamed Kanno opened the scoring for the Saudis in the 35th minute. But the three-time champions – ranked 53rd in the world to Kyrgyzstan’s 95th – managed only one more late goal from Faisal Al Ghamdi in a toothless attacking performance.
Mancini, who won the European Championship with his native Italy in 2021, said his team were lagging behind the favourites for the title.
“The rankings say Japan, (South) Korea, Iran, Australia – and we are too far,” he said.
“But you know in this tournament, when you play one game, everything can happen in one game. Now we are in the next stage, but we have to think about the third game because we want to win.”
Meanwhile, Kyrgyzstan coach Stefan Tarkovic said: “What do I say? To play against Saudi Arabia is difficult. After the second red, it was just a question of the score.
“It was very bad receiving two red cards. From my perspective we showed spirit, they fought for the result, for their country. They fought till the end.”
On Jan 22, China lost 1-0 to hosts Qatar, who finished top of Group A having won all three matches. China finished third on two points.
Tajikistan came from behind to beat 10-man Lebanon 2-1 to go through as runners-up on four points. REUTERS, AFP
